By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the removal of a rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse Memorial site in Orlando, Florida, local residents have taken matters into their own hands. In a direct challenge to Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions, community members were captured on video repainting the crosswalk themselves. The original crosswalk, designed to honor the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was removed overnight, prompting outrage. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed his devastation at the removal, calling it a “cruel political act.”
Read the original article here
Florida locals defy Ron DeSantis by restoring Pulse rainbow crosswalk. It’s pretty clear this whole situation has ignited a firestorm of defiance, and it’s easy to see why. The decision to remove the rainbow crosswalk, a symbol of remembrance and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community and the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, was met with a swift and passionate response. It seems the local community, and really, people from all over, are unwilling to let this act of erasure stand.
With each removal of the crosswalk, there seems to be a renewed determination to bring it back. The idea of painting it again, and again, as a form of protest is a powerful one. This isn’t just about the paint; it’s about standing up against what many see as an attempt to diminish or erase the memory of a tragedy. The symbolism is impossible to ignore: a direct challenge to those in power. It’s about reclaiming a space, not just physically, but also emotionally and politically.
The feeling here is that DeSantis’ actions are, frankly, disgraceful. Many feel his actions align with the ideology of the Pulse shooter. To some, this act is a deliberate attempt to side with the hate and violence that targeted the LGBTQ+ community. The anger and frustration over this are evident.
It’s clear that the fight for visibility and acceptance continues. If the crosswalks are removed, paint them again. And again. And maybe, just maybe, the persistence of this symbol will speak volumes. It speaks to the power of community.
The swift response to restore the crosswalks and the other art in the area highlights that this isn’t just about the Pulse shooting. The removal of other beautiful crosswalks in the area is seen as an act of cultural vandalism, an attack on art and expression. The juxtaposition of this with efforts to preserve Confederate statues is seen as a particularly telling example of hypocrisy.
One of the central themes here is the idea that those in power are trying to control not only people’s lives, but their hearts as well. The response is clear: You can’t control our hearts. The community is using art and public space to send a powerful message of resistance, refusing to be silenced or erased.
The sentiment that this sort of defiance is “good trouble” is also clearly being expressed. The idea that these actions can be a force for positive change and inspiration is prevalent. The act of restoring the crosswalks, is a form of art as activism, a way to challenge authority and promote visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
The idea of doing this is every single time the crosswalks are removed is very popular. This is a direct response to what they see as the discriminatory policies of the current administration in Florida. The suggestion of using bricks for the next restoration as a reminder of Stonewall, further underscores the link between present day challenges and the historical struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The idea of having to protect the protesters and the rainbow crosswalks is a direct reflection of the environment created by political policies.
The fact that the restoration is being done in the middle of the night, perhaps using sidewalk chalk, underscores the clandestine nature of the resistance. The rain is seen as just another part of the story. These actions are not just symbolic, but practical acts of defiance.
The arguments that have been made are quite pointed, and very direct. The restoration of the crosswalk is a way of pushing back against these kinds of policies. In the face of what some see as a looming theocracy, this defiance is absolutely necessary.
There is a very clear sense that the community believes it is facing a government that is hostile to LGBTQ+ rights and to any form of expression that challenges its worldview. The very notion of peaceful protesters needing armed protectors shows a stark view of the current state of affairs. The act of restoring the crosswalks is a powerful act of defiance that must be protected.